One of the pioneers of the stock market game genre is Stocks and Bonds (later reimplemented as Stock Market Guru). The players — there could really be any number — invest $5000 in a portfolio of ten different fictitious stocks and bonds, then draw a card to see whether the market is bull or bear, then roll dice to see how their stocks performed. Then it’s back to the buy/sell phase, and repeat for ten more years.

Börsenspiel (a.k.a Broker)

Another stock market game, Borsenspiel (a.k.a Broker) allows the players to manipulate the share prices themselves, adding an exciting level of intrigue to the game.

Borsenspiel allows players to manipulate stock prices, adjusting a factor that other games leave to randomizers.

Borsenspiel is hard to find in board game stores, but can be picked up from the BoardGameGeek marketplace.

Millionary

Millionary is a gigantic, deep and complex stock market game which utilizes real-life companies for its stocks. The rule book is extraordinarily detailed, giving three full games as examples.

Millionary

Unfortunately, they’re all in German (as is the game), but English translations are available!

18xx Series

Stock market games need not be limited to securities. The entire 18xx series of games is devoted to investments in railroad companies, whose values depend on their success in expansion on the board.

There have been over 50 18xx board games published. (Photo Credit: Fallingstones.wordpress.com)

Each company has a president — usually the largest shareholder — whose job it is to steer the company to wealth. 1830: Railways & Robber Barons is one of the oldest and best-known games in the series. These games tend to be long and complex.

1830 Railways and Robber Barons is among the most popular games in the 18xx series.

18xx games have practically a cult following in the gaming world. Check out this BoardGameGeek thread if you’re looking for some tips and tricks to get started with the series.

Still another type of investment game is found in Attila, which has players seeking influence in the fortunes of six different tribes which are competing for land on a map of Medieval Europe.

This version of Attila is very hard to find in retail stores, but can be purchased in the BoardGameGeek marketplace.

The value of each tribe is determined through tactical movement and card play. The game progresses over four “centuries” (rounds), and the player who has influence over the most successful tribes will likely win.

Stock market games appeal especially to those with a mind for finance, but can really be enjoyed by any gamer who likes strategy.